OFFICIAL ENTRY FORMProfessional engineers and land surveyors dedicated to building a better California.

A C E C C A L I F O R N I A

2022 Engineering Excellence Awards

Eligibility for the Engineering Excellence AwardsAny firm engaged in the practice of consulting engineering or surveying is eligible to enter the awards program.

Qualifying Projects Engineering or surveying projects may have been executed anywhere in the world. Studies and Research (Category A) or Surveying and Mapping Projects (Category D) must have been publicly disclosed by the client between November 1, 2019 and October 31, 2021. Construction of projects (Categories B through L - with the exception of D) must have been substantially completed and ready for use between the same dates. Engineering or surveying achievements that have won awards in other state or national organizations’ design awards programs may be entered.

Projects are judged for their overall engineering excellence, the work performed by the entering firm only, and the rating guidelines listed below.

Awards Eligibility for Small Firm Entries (<30 FTEs)Any firm engaged in the practice of consulting engineering or surveying with 30 or fewer full-time employees is eligible to enter the awards program as a Small Firm.

Categories and Requirements1. The firm must select the appropriate category. (However, some of the categories

are broad while others are more specific, and your project may fall into several categories. Please mark the most appropriate category.) It is important to note that the submittal judging is focused on the quality of engineering and land surveying creativity, not on the category selected. Category (A) projects, should they lead to design and/or construction, may be considered for subsequent years in another category.

2. Entries must be submitted according to the requirements under, “How To Submit an Entry.” Non-compliance with these requirements will disqualify an entry.

3. Firms entering projects are assumed to be the prime design professional for the entered project. Entries on behalf of a joint venture must be accompanied by a letter signed by all joint venture partners consenting to the project submission.

4. If submitting as a sub-consultant for a specific element of engineering or surveying work on a project, the entrant must include a letter from the prime consultant with whom they were contracted to verify the scope of the work the entrant performed.

5. Entries must arrive at the ACEC California office by 5:00pm on Friday, September 24, 2021. Judging will take place in early November 2021 and winners will be notified shortly after judging.

6. The ACEC California Engineering Excellence Awards Committee reserves the right to determine eligibility and category classification of all entries.

Entry materials (including photographs) become the property of ACEC California and will not be returned. Materials may be used in ACEC California publications.

Awards1. There are four award levels:

Eligible for National Competition:1. Golden State (single top award)2. HonorThe following are not eligible for National Competition:3. Merit4. Commendation

2. Winning entries will receive one plaque or certificate. Additional plaques may be purchased for the design team members and/or clients through ACEC California. All plaques ordered in advance will be available for pick up at the Awards Banquet.

3. Awards will be presented during the Awards Banquet hosted by the ACEC California Scholarship Foundation on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at the The Fairmont in San Francisco, CA. ACEC California will reserve a room block for this date and provide hotel reservation information as the event nears.

Rating Guidelines and Definitions for Judges1. Original or Innovative Application of New

or Existing Techniques .................................................................................... 20%• Does the entry demonstrate the use of a new science or a breakthrough in

the general knowledge of engineering?• Does the entry represent a unique application of new or existing

technology, techniques, materials or equipment?2. Future Value of the Engineering Profession and Perception

by the Public .................................................................................................... 20%• Will the entry redefine current engineering thinking?• Does the entry advance a positive public image of engineering excellence?

3. Social, Economic and Sustainable Design Considerations. ...................... .20%• Do the solutions identified produce secondary benefits of value to the

community environment?• Does the entrant’s approach provide society with social, economic, or

sustainable development benefits?• Does the entrant’s contribution to the project improve the health, safety or

welfare of the public or affected environment?

4. Complexity ...................................................................................................... 20%• Did the entry successfully address very complex criteria or unique

problems?

Submission Requirements

• Were extraordinary problems of site, location, hazardous conditions, project requirements or similar elements present?

• Did the entry require the use of out-of-the-ordinary technology or ingenuity for achievement of the project’s goals?

5. Exceeding Client/Owner Needs ............................................................................... 20%• Did the entrant successfully engage the client/owner in the overall project

development process?• Is it an economical and cost-effective solution?• How did the final cost relate to the original budget estimate?• How closely does the entrant’s solution meet the total goals of the client/owner?• Did the entrant meet the client’s time schedule?

The following materials must be submitted:

Official Electronic EntryAll project information shall be submitted electronically1. The Official Entry Form: The engineer or surveyor, client, and owner must all sign

the entry form stating that the project was or will be substantially completed and ready for use in the qualifying period. This must be uploaded in PDF format.

2. Project Description: The project description should not exceed five (5) pages (8 1/2” x 11” with 1” margins min, single-spaced), and address all items listed below in a format that can be easily identified and followed by EEA judges. Photos, graphs, etc., are included within the page limit. This document must be uploaded in PDF format.a. Firm’s role in the project.b. Role of other consultants and contractor(s) if applicable, participating in

the project.c. Description of the firm’s contribution to the project, including:

i. Original or Innovative Application of New or Existing Techniques (20 pts.)a. Use of new science or breakthrough general engineering knowledge. (10 pts.)b. Unique application of different technology, technique, materials or equipment. (10 pts.)

ii. Future Value to the Engineering Profession & Public Perception (20 pts.)a. Redefines current engineering thinking. (10 pts.)b. Advances a positive public image of engineering excellence. (10 pts.)

iii. Social Economic, and Sustainable Design Considerations (20 pts.)a. Solutions produce value to the community environment. (6 pts.)

b. Approach provides society with social, economic or sustainable development benefits. (7 pts.)c. Contribution to project improves health, safety or welfare of the public or environment. (7 pts.)

iv. Complexity (20 pts.)a. Addresses very complex criteria or unique problems. (7 pts.)b. Extraordinary problems of site, location, hazardous conditions, project requirements. (7 pts.)c. Use of out-of-the-ordinary technology or ingenuity. (6 pts.)

v. Exceeding Owner/Client Needs (20 pts.)a. Successful engagement of Owner/Client in overall project development process. (4 pts.)b. Economical and cost-effective solution. (4 pts.)c. Relation of final cost to original budget estimate (both for overall project and consultant’s services). (4 pts.)d. Solution closely meets the total goals of owner/client. (4pts.)e. Client’s time schedule met. (4 pts.)

3. An Executive Summary: The executive summary should not exceed one page (8 1/2” x 11” with 1” margins min, double spaced) summarizing the submission. Project title and entry category should appear at the top of the page. This document must be uploaded in PDF format.

4. Owner/Client letter: A One-Page letter from the owner/client describing the relationship with the entrant in the development of the project, and in meeting and exceeding owner/client needs. Letter must be signed by owner/client. Address, but do not mail, this letter to ACEC (1015 15th Street, 8th Floor, NW, Washington D.C., 20005-2605). All entries must submit this document as part of their package. This document must be uploaded in PDF format.

5. A Project Introduction: This document/script should not exceed two hundred words and is used as the presentation script (with possible modification) during the Awards Banquet. The introduction should point out the most unique or significant aspects of the project and the community benefits. It should be written as though the project won an award. This document must be uploaded in Microsoft Word. See: Sample Project Introduction Script on back cover.

6. Published Project Articles: Provide links to any and all published Media articles of your project. This document must be uploaded in Microsoft Excel.

7. Press Release: In 400 words or less, please provide a press release that clearly and concisely describes the project and the entrant’s participation based on information presented in the Project Description. Also describe the value of the project to the community including information such as the number of people served, cost savings, etc. Do not reference other awards the project has won. This document must be uploaded in Microsoft Word. See: Sample Press Release Adjacent.a. Press Release Disclaimer: Please be aware that the Press Release you submit will

be used as a sample and may need to be edited. 8. Naming your documents: Please name your documents accordingly. Abbreviated

firm name, abbreviated project name and document type. For example: Biggs Cardosa & Associates, Inc. entered a project Santa Clara Station Pedestrian Underpass.• Official Entry Form: Biggs_SCSPed_OfficialEntry• Owner Client Letter: Biggs_SCSPed_Owner_Client• Project Description & Summary: Biggs_SCSPed_Des_Sum• Project Introduction: Biggs_SCSPed_Intro• Media Folder: Biggs_SCSPed_Media

• Biggs_SCSPed_Press• Biggs_SCSPed_Articles

• Photos Folder: Biggs_SCSPed_Photos• Biggs_SCSPed_Photo1• Biggs_SCSPed_Photo2

Definitions and NotesSubstantially Completed: A project that is expected to be operational and to meet its intended purpose between November 1, 2019 and October 31, 2021.

Judging: These individuals are non-ACEC California members and are generally from the public sector representing a cross-section of experience and review all of the entries. It is recommended that applicants follow the instructions closely for the project write-up and detail the role your firm had in the project. Applicants may request a blank copy of the judging score-sheet to aid in project submission. It is important to recognize that the judges rate each project in the entry categories on the previous page, and therefore entries should be clear as to their value in those categories. Also, entries should: (a) be reasonably understandable to persons who don’t specialize in that particular area of the profession, and (b) include graphic material to help illustrate the submission, whether in captioned photographs, graphs or exhibits.

ACEC National Competition: Projects earning an Honor Award or Golden State Award (single top award) are eligible to compete in the ACEC National EEA competition. Merit and Commendation-specific awards are not eligible to advance to the ACEC National competition.

Engineering Excellence Awards Media EffortsEvery year ACEC California works strategically and comprehensively to publicize the engineering projects that are honored with Engineering Excellence Awards. The focus is to send a statewide release to all traditional media outlets - both small and large print publications, as well as broadcast - to elevate the attention of the EEA awards. Then, we work to try to localize press coverage by distributing regional award press releases to curated media markets to connect local reporter interest with local projects and firms. Finally, we ensure our earned media efforts are complemented with social media posts. The list of our 2021 efforts included the following:

• Drafted Master press release listing all Honor, Merit, and Commendation Award winners and coordinated the distribution of the release through Business Wire

• Drafted nine regional releases and updated corresponding media press lists to assist ACEC California in targeting local business and transportation reporters

• Pitched opportunity for exclusives on local EEA project winners to the reporters at the Los Angeles Business Journal, Sacramento Business Journal, Silicon Valley Business Journal, Central Valley Business Journal, San Diego Business Journal, The Business Journal (Fresno)

• Edited ten regional press releases into blog posts for use on ACEC California’s web site

• Drafted the Golden State Award Winner press release and managed the distribution of the press release through Business Wire

• Announced Honor and Merit Award winners press release on Business Wire through ACEC Twitter and Engineering CA twitter accounts, linking them to firms’ social media accounts

• Circulated earned media articles on Twitter• Press releases on all ACEC California social media channels: LinkedIn,

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Press Release: SampleCross Border Xpress (CBX) Terminal Building and Pedestrian Skybridge in San Diego, CA by Kleinfelder of San Diego, CA. The bi-national project spans the U.S./Mexico border and directly connects a new terminal building in San Diego to the Tijuana International Airport (TIJ), making TIJ the only airport in the world with terminals in two countries. CBX is a high-profile, high-security project toll crossing for ticketed airline passengers offering a direct, convenient connection for TIJ passengers traveling to or from Southern California. The bridge allows passengers flying into or out of Tijuana International Airport to circulate across the international border between two terminal buildings, enabling them to avoid unpredictable border wait times and often-lengthy delays at congested land ports of entry at San Ysidro or Otay Mesa.

Entry Upload1. Please visit our website acec-ca.org. Please be prepared to fill out the Official

Entry Form and provide ACEC California the following information: (All of this information must be entered or uploaded to our website.)a. ACEC Chapter Affiliationb. Firm’s Role in the projectc. Preparer, Principal or Lead Engineer and any additional contact information.d. Entering firm or firms’ information.e. Client or Owner information.f. Official project name and official project name abbreviated for use in Press and Media efforts.g. If you were not a Prime, upload a letter from Prime approving submission.h. Name of Prime construction contractor.i. Upload the executed Official Entry Form in PDF format.j. Upload Project Description & Executive Summary in PDF format.k. Upload Letter from Client/Owner in PDF format.l. Upload a Project Introduction in a word document.m. Upload Published Media links in an excel document.n. Upload Press release (400 words or less) in a word document.o. Twitter Handle and Facebook URL (if available) of submitting firm.p. Provide nine or ten 300dpi++ high-resolution photos. No artistic renderings. Due to space limitations these photos will be uploaded on the USB drive only.

2. USB flash drive containing submission materials: (Please mail to ACEC CA, 1303 J Street, Suite 450, Sacramento, CA 95814). Please organize USB Drive in this order:a. Official Entry Form, Project Description, Executive Summary and Owner/

Client letter (PDF)b. Project Introduction (Word)c. Prime Letter (optional) (PDF)d. Published Media Article links (Excel)e. Press Release (Word)f. Photos

3. Completed entries are due in the ACEC California office by 5:00pm on Friday, September 24, 2021. Projects received after this date will not be accepted and will not be returned.

4. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Holly Cole at hcole@acec-ca.org or Brit Bertino at bbertino@acec-ca.org.

Photographic Display Panel1. If your firm is selected to receive an Honor Award, Merit Award or

Commendation Award you will be required to submit one photographic display panel. ACEC California will not be responsible for any damages to or loss of an entrant’s photographic display panel.

2. If a firm’s project is eligible for advancement to the ACEC National EEA Competition, another photographic display panel will be required for submission, according to their specifications. More information will be provided after awards are determined for the California competition.

3. Specific requirements for the ACEC California photographic display panel will be communicated to the winning project’s entry preparer in the weeks following judging. However, below are general specifications, subject to change.

4. Honor Award winners will be required to create one 30” x 30” square display panel for display at the EEA Banquet and at the California State Capitol.

5. Merit and Commendation Award winners will be required to create one 24” x 17” display panel for display at the EEA Banquet. You may take the display panels with you at the end of the banquet.

Dates to Remember1. September 24, 2021: Deadline for submission of the Electronic Official Entry

and the USB flash drive must be mailed or delivered to the ACEC California office.

2. Early November 2021: Judging will take place and results will be announced.

3. January 7, 2022: ACEC National deadline for submission.

4. February 3, 2022: ACEC California Scholarship Foundation will host the EEA Banquet at The Fairmont in San Francisco, California.

5. May 24, 2022: ACEC National Banquet will be held in Washington D.C.

The 2022 Engineering Excellence Awards competition recognizes engineering

and land surveying firms for projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation,

complexity, achievement and value. A distinguished panel of judges will evaluate and rank

submissions by engineering excellence. Projects are judged for their overall engineering

excellence, the work performed by the entering firm only, and the rating guidelines

listed. Entrants should select a category below under which the project will be ranked in

comparison to all submissions.

CATEGORY A: Studies, Research and Consulting Services (Non-design services, projects not involving the preparation of construction documents consisting of but not limited to the following projects):

• New products, materials and technologies• Expert testimony• Basic research and studies• Computer/software technology• Technical papers• Public outreach/involvement• Water conservation• Security plans• Project feasibility, economic, or risk studies• Value engineering

CATEGORY B: Building/Technology Systems

• Mechanical/electrical/plumbing• Computer/technology• Communications• Acoustics• Software systems• Sustainability or carbon neutrality• Efficiency certification standards, e.g. LEED• Energy efficiency - new and retrofit• Secure facilities (military, research,

correctional)

CATEGORY C: Structural Systems

• Foundations• Tunnels• Buildings• Seismic design• Towers• Bridges• Stadiums

CATEGORY D: Surveying and Mapping Technology

• Geometrics, ALTA, land title and rights surveys

• Control, GPS, monitoring or construction surveying

• Survey mapping, GIS/LIS, photogrammetry

CATEGORY E: Environmental

• Hazardous waste• Solid waste• Restoration/reclamation/remediation• Air quality• Noise• Recycling• Waste pond management• Carbon sequestration and trading• Mitigation

CATEGORY F: Water and Storm Water

• Wastewater collection/treatment and disposal

• Residuals management and reuse• Graywater systems• CSO’s• Mine tailings• Agricultural• Storm water management• Erosion control

CATEGORY G: Water Resources

• Hydraulics, hydrology• Surface and groundwater supply

development • Treatment• Transmission, distribution, and storage• Watershed management• Water use reduction• Flood risk management• Climate adaptation• Coastal and eco-system restoration• Locks/dams/water control structures

• Irrigation

CATEGORY H: Transportation

• Highways• Rail• Airports• Marine/ports• Public Transit

• Intermodal facilities

CATEGORY I: Special Projects

• Safety and security• Corrosion protection/cathodic protection• Program and construction management• Land development• Trenchless technologies• Recreational facilities• Subsurface engineering

CATEGORY J: Small Projects

• Total project construction budget does not exceed $2.5 million (at the entrant’s discretion, except for entries in Category A, projects under $2.5 million are not limited to this category)

CATEGORY K: Energy

• Transmission and distribution• Power generation• Renewable energy• Cogeneration• Energy storage technologies• Energy usage reduction programs• Demand side management

CATEGORY L: Industrial and Manufacturing Processes and Facilities

• Petrochemical• Biotech• Manufacturing• Heavy industry• Industrial waste • Materials handling• Mining, metallurgy, mineralogy

Entry Categories

*Actual program deadline

Engineering Excellence Awards2022 Program Timeline

2021-2022 Suggested Timeline for Project

Sample Project Introduction Script2022 Engineering Excellence AwardsA award goes to for the Hansen Dam Recreational Lake Facility. was contracted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, as the prime consultant to provide the unique engineering design required to create this landmark project—a combination swim lake, recreational lake and park facility in the city of Lake View Terrace. During the facility’s first week of operation in November 1999, more than 30,000 people turned out to enjoy the swim lake. The project was delivered on time and under budget.

“Intent to Enter” available for submission on ACEC California Website *All submissions should be submitted online

Official Application & Instructions will be available on website.

Intent to Enter Forms Due (Official entries will still be accepted after this date)

Cover Page and Official Entry Form should be completed *All signatures, addresses and details should be filled out

Project Description and Project Introduction should be completed

Owner/Client Letter and Executive Summary should be finished

Media List and Press Release should be completed

Completed project flash drives due to the ACEC California office by close of business

Judges receive copies of all project entries

Project judging held

EEA Applicants notified of Awards via email and mail

ACEC National EEA competition deadline. ACEC California Honor Award Winners can send their projects directly to ACEC National.

Photographic Display Panels due to ACEC California office by close of business

EEA Awards Ceremony and Banquet at The Fairmont in San Francisco, California

EEA Display Panels hung outside Governor’s office (During Engineers Week and Legislative Visit Day)

Judging for ACEC National Competition takes place in Washington D.C.

ACEC National Awards Presentation & Gala in Washington, D.C. during Annual Convention

June 1, 2021

July 1, 2021

July 31, 2021July 31, 2021

August 15, 2021

August 30, 2021

September 10, 2021

September 20, 2021

September 24, 2021September 24, 2021

October 4, 2021

Early November 2021

1 week after Judging

January 7, 2022

January 31, 2022

February 3, 2022

February/May (TBD)

February 19-21, 2022

May 24, 2022

PREPARER’S FIRST NAME LAST NAME TITLE

ADDRESS CITY STATE

ZIP PHONE NUMBER EMAIL

SIGNATURE

NAME OF THE PROJECT LOCATION STATE

PREPARER

ON

LY

ADDITIONAL CONTACT’S FULL NAME TITLE EMAIL

ADDITIONAL CONTACT’S FULL NAME TITLE EMAIL

ADDITIO

NAL

PRINC

IPAL O

NLY

PRINCIPAL’S FIRST NAME LAST NAME TITLE

ADDRESS CITY STATE

ZIP PHONE NUMBER EMAIL

SIGNATURE

PROJEC

T INFO

RMATIO

NEntry FormPlease provide all information requested below for each entry. This information will be used for awards and press releases. The proper fee must accompany this form. Make checks payable to ACEC California. To pay by credit card, go to acec-ca.org, online store.

2022 Engineering Excellence Eligible for Golden State, Honor, Merit, CommendationMEMBER $499 NON-MEMBER $1,599

PAGE 1 o f 2

ENTERING FIRM NAME(S) (as used on any awards, publicity or other materials)

ACEC CALIFORNIA CHAPTER NAME FIRM’S ROLE IN THE PROJECT:

ALL INFORMATION ON ENTRY FORM MUST BE THE SAME FOR YOUR FINAL PROJECT UPLOAD.

2022 Small Firm 30 or Fewer FTEsMEMBER $399 NON-MEMBER $1,099

About the Project

A. Studies, Research, and Consulting Services B. Building/Technology Systems C. Structural Systems D. Surveying and Mapping Technology

E. Environmental F. Water and Storm Water G. Water Resources H. Transportation I. Special Projects

J. Small Projects K. Energy L. Industrial and Manufacturing

Processes and Facilities

ENTRY CATEGORY (Please Check One):

$

$

$

COMPLETION/USE DATES:

COSTS (Category A Only):

TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET (actual)

ENTRANT’S TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET (planned)

ENTRANT’S PROJECT BUDGET (actual)

Scheduled Costs $

Scheduled Costs $

Actual Costs $

Actual Costs $

PREPARER O

NLY

FULL NAME ADDRESS EMAIL

FULL NAME ADDRESS EMAIL

FULL NAME ADDRESS EMAIL

FULL NAME ADDRESS EMAIL

FULL NAME ADDRESS EMAIL

CLIENT CLIENT CONTACT NAME EMAIL

CLIENT ADDRESS CLIENT CITY CLIENT STATE CLIENT ZIP

CLIENT PHONE NUMBER CLIENT SIGNATURE

OWNER OWNER CONTACT NAME EMAIL

OWNER ADDRESS OWNER CITY OWNER STATE OWNER ZIP

OWNER PHONE NUMBER OWNER SIGNATURE

About the Client/Owner(s) of the ProjectI believe the work of the engineer meets the intended uses and expectations for the project and hereby grant permission to enter this project in the 2022 ACEC California Engineering Excellence Awards Competition, and authorize publication of its outstanding features, unique aspects, or innovations. I affirm that the project was substantially completed and ready for use between NOVEMBER 1, 2019 and OCTOBER 31, 2021.

Entry Form continued... PAGE 2 of 2

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARDSACEC California • 1303 J Street, Suite 450 • Sacramento, CA 95814PHONE: (916) 441-7991 • FAX: (916) 441-6312ATTN: Holly Cole • hcole@acec-ca.org

Entries must be received in the ACEC California Office by close of business on FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021. Send USB flash drive and appropriate fee to address below or visit the online store at acec-ca.org (EEA entry fee) to pay with credit card.

PRIME CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTOR

OTHER KEY CONSULTANTS, ARCHITECTS, ETC.

CLIENT INFORMATION

OWNER INFORMATION